A new bill effective July 1 establishes a voucher program providing free swim lessons for young children in Florida, aiming to reduce the number of drownings in the state. The Swim Lesson Voucher Program, created by Senate Bill 544, targets children under four years old from families with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level.
Drowning is a significant concern in Florida, with the Florida Department of Health (FDH) reporting over 450 unintentional drowning deaths in 2022, including 14 in Duval County. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that children aged 1 to 4 are at the highest risk of drowning.
Rachel Mills, Interim Regional Aquatics Director at YMCA, emphasized the importance of teaching water safety skills to young children. “Getting them comfortable in the water and knowing those safety skills can make such an impact and a difference,” she said.
While the bill is now in effect, the FDH is still working on establishing the specific rules and processes for the program. The department is committed to meeting the implementation date and will provide more information as it becomes available.
To promote water safety, the YMCA is offering free swim tests for families ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. The CDC also recommends measures such as building fences around pools, supervising swimmers, and using life jackets for all ages and swimming abilities while boating.
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“We start all the way at the baby parent-child lessons all the way up to 100,” Mills said. “It is completely possible for people over the kid age to learn how to swim. I’ve taught many myself. It is possible.”
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